The global crackdown on the Skrull was swift, precise, and ruthless, without causing a ripple to the outside world.
But there were just too many people who disappeared.
If one or two high-ranking politicians or military generals go missing, they can be excused by claiming it's a business trip or a temporary classified mission.
In just over ten minutes, dozens of high-ranking key figures around the world vanished without a trace.
Not to mention ordinary people, the Skrull in the middle and lower ranks of various industries immediately sensed that something was wrong.
They have secret communication channels within their organization.
They are usually used to exchange information, form groups, and lie in wait to avoid being detected by humans.
All the high-level contacts who were working normally just now have lost contact.
No matter how many secret messages were sent or how many emergency codes were activated, they all disappeared without a trace.
In an instant, the Skrull lurkers scattered across the land panicked.
Nobody's a fool.
The simultaneous disappearance of a large number of high-ranking officials is no coincidence.
It's highly likely that their clan's hidden power at the top of humanity has run into trouble.
The surviving Skrulls dared not wander off.
They dared not secretly gather crowds to cause trouble, for fear of exposing their identities and bringing about their own demise.
After much thought, they found the only person who could provide an explanation— Nick Fury.
In the eyes of all the Skrull lurking in the shadows, Fury is the pinnacle of Earth's intelligence capabilities.
There's nothing about global military and political reshuffles or high-level personnel changes that he doesn't know.
As a result, a group of Skrulls hidden in mid-level positions and among the social elite gradually gathered at the S.H.I.E.L.D.. temporary command headquarters.
There weren't many people, only twenty or thirty.
They were all alien infiltrators who had sensed something amiss, harbored a glimmer of hope, and came to demand an explanation and uncover the truth.
They appeared tense, deliberately suppressing their inner panic, and pretending to be normal public officials.
They went to the door to question and inquire about the situation, attempting to confirm the truth behind the mass disappearance of the high-ranking officials.
"Recently, high-ranking officials from several countries have gone missing without explanation. We request S.H.I.E.L.D.. to provide a reasonable explanation."
"Has a special global screening operation been launched?"
"Our superiors are all out of contact, which is severely impacting our normal work operations."
One question after another was posed, the tone accusatory, yet tinged with a hint of probing toughness.
They thought they were still in a safe zone.
He thought that only a few companions had disappeared, and that he could remain unharmed by disguising his identity.
Little did they know that from the moment they stepped through the doors of S.H.I.E.L.D.., they had already stepped into a pre-ordained deadly trap.
In the command center, Nick Fury looked at the Skrulls were pretending to be calm, without the slightest surprise on his face.
There wasn't even the slightest ripple.
Everything, from beginning to end, was within his prediction.
Rimuru led the top-level purge; no matter how secretive his actions were, they could not escape the notice of his own kind.
The disappearance of a large number of high-ranking officials will inevitably attract a group of mid-level undercover agents to gather information.
This saves them the trouble of checking each case and searching specific locations one by one.
It was the most controllable and perfect unexpected event in the plan.
Fury slowly stood up, one hand in his pocket, his single eye coldly sweeping over the faces before him that appeared human but whose inner cores had long since changed.
There was no further explanation, let alone any official response.
The S.H.I.E.L.D. special forces soldiers, who had been silently waiting all around, instantly surrounded them.
All exits were simultaneously sealed off, and the energy confinement device was activated instantly.
At that moment, the faces of all the Skrulls present turned deathly pale.
They instantly realized this wasn't an accident, but a reckoning!
Some people panicked on the spot and hurriedly tried to defend themselves, feigning innocence. "We are public officials, this is illegal detention!"
Some people instantly activated their shapeshifting abilities, their bodies swelling in size, intending to break through at all costs.
But it was all too late.
A pre-deployed restraining force field, specifically designed to counter the physical characteristics of the Skrulls.
The newly awakened transformed body was instantly suppressed, its energy locked, and it couldn't even move.
Looking at the group of panicked and resentful aliens, Fury spoke calmly, even with a hint of apology.
There was no fierce killing intent, no cold rebuke.
With just a simple sentence, this test came to an end.
What else could it be?
He sighed softly, his eyes icy cold.
I can only say, I'm sorry.
"I can only give you a quick death."
The moment the words were spoken, the T-1000s that had been prepared beforehand were simultaneously deployed.
There was no fierce fighting or pulling, no unnecessary struggle or begging for mercy.
This group of Skrull mid-level undercover agents, hoping to get lucky and gather information,
Within seconds, they were all wiped out on the spot.
Clean and neat, extremely efficient.
After dealing with everyone, silence returned to the scene.
There was no horrific mess on the ground; all traces of the battle had been quickly cleaned up.
After the scene was completely quiet, the soldiers left and cleaned up any traces.
Fury was the only one left standing in the huge hall.
At this moment, the composed calmness on his face finally softened slightly.
I have mixed feelings.
He knew all too well the value of this group of people.
None of the Skrulls have risen to the ranks of industry elites and key personnel in mid-level organizations are mediocre.
Patient, intelligent, and extremely capable, they would be among the best in any field.
And most importantly...
These people have long been core partners and contacts of S.H.I.E.L.D..
S.H.I.E.L.D.. has many cross-industry projects, international resource collaborations, and covert intelligence transfers.
It's all thanks to this group of middle managers who have access to resources from all sectors supporting them.
On a regular basis, they provide funding, channels, and connections to help S.H.I.E.L.D.. resolve countless behind-the-scenes troubles.
To be honest...
Today's cleanup, seemingly eliminating the threat of foreign invaders, is truly gratifying.
But for S.H.I.E.L.D.. itself, it was truly equivalent to having half of its major artery removed.
It wasn't a complete hemorrhage, but it definitely caused serious damage.
Many collaborative projects have been abruptly terminated.
Stable resource channels have collapsed across the board.
Many classified projects that were underway were brought to a standstill.
Fury rubbed his temples, feeling a headache coming on.
The threat of external enemies has been eliminated.
But then, he had something to worry about.
For a long time to come,
S.H.I.E.L.D..'s funding, resources, connections, and project operations all had to be built up from scratch.
He stared at the ground and silently shook his head.
no way.
No matter how much we regret wasting resources or talent, we cannot keep them.
If the hidden alien roots are not eliminated, the future will be a demise for all of humanity.
After weighing the pros and cons, there was no other choice.
Composing himself, Fury's expression hardened again.
Fury stared at the empty hall and lightly tapped the terminal.
On the screen, the densely packed red dots representing secondary targets were first cleared out, with the most restless and dangerous ones being eliminated.
The purge at the top level is nearing completion, and all restless middle-level managers have been eradicated.
All potential instability issues from the early stages have been thoroughly investigated and resolved.
With the Daju completely stabilized, no other ethnic group could secretly tip off the enemy or coordinate a counterattack.
At this point, all preliminary cleaning work has been completed.
Next, we will roll it out in full force.
A level-two, comprehensive extermination operation targeting mid-level elites across all industries in society who are infiltrating the Skrulls.